Florida Republicans rejected Gov. Ron DeSantis' call for a special legislative session to discuss how to deal with immigration in the state. The move allowed Republican leaders in the state to draw up their own immigration plans, including language that could put DeSantis in a tricky political position.
The state's GOP said they support President Trump's pledge to combat unauthorized immigration but want to deal with it and other issues identified by DeSantis on their own schedule.
"Sometimes leadership isn't about being out in front of an issue," Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said Monday, in an apparent criticism of DeSantis. "It's about following the leader you trust. I trust President Trump."
Among Desantis' proposals is one requiring counties and cities to participate in the federal deportation program. The initiative is seeking authority to suspend any officials, including those who were elected, who don't comply, NPR reports. He is also vying to make it a state crime to enter the U.S. illegally, as well as requiring people to show identification and their immigration status to send remittances abroad.
Albritton said DeSantis' ideas depart from Trump's agenda, and they could be unconstitutional. However, Trump had backed DeSantis publicly after he called for the special session.
"Thank you Ron, hopefully other governors will follow," Trump posted on Truth Social.
Because of his calls, Republican leaders are now seeking to strip the governor from his authority to enforce immigration in the state and give that power to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, another Republican with a tumultuous relationship with DeSantis.
If state lawmakers approve the proposal, Simpson would become the state's chief immigration officer and would oversee how local and state law enforcement agencies enforce Trump's immigration agenda, The Miami Herald reports.
"I believe special sessions should be used sparingly, they should not be stunts designed to generate headlines," House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, told members. "The legislative process should encourage the push and pull of meaningful conversations that lead to development of good and better ideas."
The recent pushback could signal trouble within the Sunshine State's ruling party, a warning call that DeSantis, who is out-termed as governor, may no longer have the political clout he once did.
But while tensions among the state's GOP remain high, DeSantis says he could call lawmakers back into another special session if they don't act now on his proposals, according to NPR. The state legislature meets in just over a month for its regular session.
"You can view me as like a dog that's got you on the ankle on immigration," he said last week. "I am not just going to let go."
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